Arrangement for recording alpha-numeric symbols

ABSTRACT

An endless band has a plurality of symbols spaced at equal intervals and is transported along a predetermined path in the lengthwise direction. A number of sources of illumination are arranged at predetermined positions along the path, each of these sources of illumination illuminating a symbol as it passes by, when said source of illumination is energized. Electronic control means energize the illuminating sources in correspondence to the symbol to be recorded. The film is positioned relative to the sources of illumination to record the so illuminated symbols.

United States Patent Wick et al.

14 1 Feb. 12,1974

[ ARRANGEMENT FOR RECORDING ALPHA-NUMERIC SYMBOLS [75] Inventors: Richard Wick, Munchen; Josef Pieifer, Unterhaching; Wilfried I Hofmann, Munchen, all of Germany [73] Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft,

Leverkusen, Germany [22] Filed: June 5, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 259,866

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 5, 1971 Germany 2l28038 52 us or. 95/ 4.5 [51] Int. Cl B41b 21/08 [58] Field of Search 95/45 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,204,540 9/1965 Blakely 95/45 3,416,420 l2/l968 Moyroud 95 4.5 3,528,349 9 1970 Bragg 95/45 1,149,490 8/1915 Bagge 95 45 2,010,561 8/1935 Ogden 95 45 1,732,049 10 1929 Hunter 95 45 2,298,666 1011942 Whitelaw 95 45 Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT correspondence to the symbol to be recorded. The

film is positioned relative to the sources of illumination to record the so illuminated symbols.

20 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEB FEBI 2 I974 'sntn 1 0r 7 ARRANGEMENT FOR RECORDING ALPHA-NUMERIC SYMBOLS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an arrangement for photographic recording of alpha-numeric signals. In particular, it relates to an arrangement for photographic recording of the data output of electronic data-processing arrangements. Even more specifically, it relates to such arrangements wherein the'symbols to be printed out are on a symbol carrier means which is transported along a predetermined path, a plurality of sources of illumination, furnishing short but intense illumination being positioned along said path and being energized by the electronic control system. An optical arrangement then transfers the so-illuminated symbols to the film. I

Very rapid recording of the output of computers on microfilm may be achieved by recording the data after it has been entered onto a cathode ray tube. However, this equipment is expensive. On the other hand the output of mechanical printers is not sufficient.

It is further known that photoset machines can print out data, by illuminating symbols found on a rotating cylinder in the desired sequence and recording soilluminated symbols on the film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to furnish an arrangement for directly transferring the output of data processing arrangements to microfilm. More specifically, it is desired to achieve this objective by using less equipment then is presently required, while still achieving the desired print out speed.

The present invention therefore comprising an arrangement for recording of alpha-numerical symbols. It comprises endless band means having a plurality of symbols spaced at predetermined intervals in a predetermined order along the length thereof. Band transport means transport said endless band means along a predetermined path. A plurality of sources of illumination are arranged at predetermined illuminating positions along said predetermined path, each for illuminatin'g one of said symbols on said endless band means when energized. Electronic control means selectively energize said sources of illumination in correspondence tosaid alpha-numeric symbols to be recorded. Record means, namely the film, having record locations arranged in predetermined record position relative to said illuminating positions, then record the soilluminated symbols. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the symbols are spaced at equal intervals along the length of said endless band means and the sources of illumination are arranged at positions spaced apart by a distance corresponding to said predetermined equal intervals.

It will be noted that it is not necessary to activate large masses for positioning the symbol relative to the film. Thus a high rising speed can be achieved by the arrangement in accordance with the present invention.

The sources of illumination may for example be luminescent diodes whose response time is in the order of magnitude of a nanosecond and whose illuminating intensity is sufficient in order that an exposure time in the order of one microsecond or a plurality of microsec- Further, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the endless band means may have a plurality of tracks. In order to achieve a very high writing speed a plurality of tracks each having identical symbols may be provided. This plurality of tracks may be illuminated by a corresponding plurality of rows of sources of illumination which are directly energized by the computer. Since symbols in the different lines may be illuminated simultaneously, a plurality of lines may be written out simultaneously. The contents of each line are of course controlled by the computer, which computer comprises a buffer storage for storing the symbols until the desired print out time.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a single row of sources of illumination may be used. However, the endless band means may have a plurality of tracks, the symbols in each position on the tracks being corresponding signals but of a different form. For example, capital and small letters may be stored in the first and second track respectively. The type of letter to beprinted out may then be determined by moving the band in a direction perpendicular to its direction of advance in order to position the first or the second track selectively in front of the illuminating sources. Of course, alternatively, the selection of the type of symbol to be printed out may be achieved by movement of the sources of illumination rather than by band movement.

It is further advantageous that the symbols within the different tracks are positioned in part parallel to the direction of advance of the band and in part perpendicular thereto. Thus, the symbols may be recorded on the film selectively in one of two directions. Here, too, the contents of individual lines as stored in the above storage and the data is called out in a columnwise direction when required.

If a single line is being printed out at one time, the microfilm is of course advanced upon the completion of each line. Where several lines are printed out simultaneously, the transport of the microfilm takes place correspondingly. The transport arrangement can be controlled by the computer itself. Alternatively, it can be controlled by a punched tape or by a disk which is driven in synchronism with the band transport means. Either the punched tape or the disk can then be scanned by photoelectric means.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, additional tracks exist on the endless band means for carrying either code marks or timing marks. The timing marks may of course also be entered on the disk, if the angular position of the disk is fixed relative to a reference position of the endless band means.

In order to utilize the light furnished by the luminescent diodes in an optimum fashion, each diode may have a condenser lens with a slit for limiting the illuminated field associated therewith. Even more advantageous is the use of light guide means whose cross section on one side corresponds to the cross section of the luminescent diode, while its cross section at the other extremity corresponds to the form of the symbol to be illuminated.

Where very high speeds are used in transporting the endless band means, it may be advantageous to foreshorten the symbols on the band in the direction of band transport. That is,'it is desirable to decrease the intensity of the symbol in order to decrease the smear effect.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a microfilm camera with the arrangement of this invention;

I FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a film advance arrangement including a punched tape for controlling the film advance;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged section of the endless band means in conjunction with a first optical system;

FIG. 5 shows the section of the endless band means in conjunction with a second optical system;

FIG. 6 shows a section of an endless band means having a plurality of tracks and code marks; and

FIG. 7 shows symbols on the endless band means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawing.

In FIG. 1 the microfilm camera is designated by reference numeral 1. An objective 2 focusses alphanumeric symbols to be recorded on film 3. The alphanumeric symbols are recorded on an endless band 13 which is transported in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. An arrangement comprises a plurality of sources of illumination, one for each record location on the film. Assume now that a selected symbol is to be printed in a particular record position on the film. When this selected symbol passes the source of illumination in the illuminating position corresponding to the desired record position, the source of illumination is energized, thereby illuminating the desired symbol which then is recorded on the film.

The sources of illumination are of course positioned behind the film relative to the position of the camera.

In known fashion, a semitransparent mirror 6 allows the illumination of forms via a corresponding arrangement 7. The correct positioning of the symbol on the form can be achieved by means of a viewing arrangement 8. The film transport takes place via a transport drum 9 which may be driven by a servomotor or a step motor and which will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

Further shown in FIG. 1 is a feed cassette 11 and a takeup cassette 12. Various other standard film transport means such as means for maintaining the proper tension in the film, guiding arrangements, etc. are not given reference numerals in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows the endless band means 13 in more detail as well as a schematic showing of the interconnection between the computer and the sources of illumination and the synchronizing arrangement for synchronizing the band transport and the computer output.

Specifically, band 13 is driven by motor 4 via a shaft 4a. It travels with a very high velocity passed the plurality of sources of illumination 20, which are mounted in an arrangement 15. Also shown in FIG. 2'is the computer having a buffer storage whose output is furnished into a comparator as will be described below. The output amplifier of the computer is connected via wires 19 to the individual sources of illumination 20. The electronic control means which cause the correct source of illumination to be illuminated at the correct time will now be described shortly.

In one particular embodiment of such an arrangement, a disk 16 is mounted on shaft 4a. The disk has various radial rows of holes which correspond to the symbols on the band. The holes are illuminated via an illuminating head 32 and scanned via a scanning head 31. Illuminating head 32 comprises a bundle 34 of light guide means. These are illuminated by a lamp 33. The operation of the system may be described as follows:

Assume, for example, that the symbols A L F A are to be printed out, that is corresponding code signals are stored in buffer storage 110. Luminescent diode L1 must now be energized when the symbol A is in front of said diode. Equally, luminescent diode L2 must be energized when the symbol L is in front thereof, L3 when the symbol F is in front thereof and L4 when the symbol A is in front thereof. Reference to FIG. 2 clearly shows that the first symbol to reach its desired position will be the symbol L. This symbol will reach the position in front of lamp 2 before any of the other symbols reach their desired position. This information is developed in the computer. Thus, under computer control, the symbol L is moved from buffer storage 110 to comparator lll. Comparator 111 is then used to determine when the symbol L" passes a particular reference point, for example, the first source of illumination L1.

From the time that the comparator signals that a coincidence has been achieved, that is that symbol L has passed the reference point, the timing marks 27 are counted. In the given example when the first timing mark has been counted the computer furnishes a signal which energizes lamp L The exact time instant at which the lamp is energized is determined by lamp l7 and photoreceiver 18 which furnish a signal at that time via line 28 to amplifier 112. Next, the symbol F is illuminated in the same fashion, that is after the correct subsequent number of timing marks 27 has been counted. Finally, the symbol A is first illuminated by luminescent diode L and thereafter by diode L Further symbols in the line may be entered in analogous fashion as desired. It must be noted that the necessary computations can be carried out simply and readily by the computer in negligible time periods.

It will further be noted that scanning head 31 serves solely to determine the relative position of the band to the light sources. Once this relative position has been determined, the computer computes all further necessary information for energizing the luminescent diodes. In this embodiment it is of course desirable that the spacings of the symbols on the band from each other be equal, in order to facilitate computer operation. Also of course only a single scanning arrangement 17-18 is then required.

It is of course possible that a number of symbols reach their desired location simultaneously. In this case a number of lamps must be simultaneously energized by the computer.

It is further seen that one passage of the band in front of the sources of illumination is sufiicient to effect the recording of one line.

Disk 16 can also be used to control the film transport.

As detailed above, the comparator furnishes a coincidence signal when the first symbol to be printed out passes the reference point. The comparator input connected to the buffer storage retains this symbol during the passage of the band. When the same symbol on the band again passes the reference point, i.e. when the second comparator input again receives the corresponding codemarks from disk 16, a line has been printed out.

It is also possible that the buffer storage furnishes the signal for the film transport advance when the symbols have all been read from said buffer storage. This has the advantage that no time is wasted when a full line is not to be written out or when only groups of symbols, for example only numbers, will be required. The time required for the remainder of the symbols to pass the sources of illumination is therefore saved. In this case a film advance pulse for the film transport is furnished by the computer.

The signals for the film advance are also referred to as record advance signals herein.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is also possible to use a punched tape together with photoelectric scanning means to control the film transport. The distance between consecutive lines on the film can then be controlled arbitrarily of course.

If the record advance signal is furnished for example by the computer, the film may-be driven in a stepwise motion by use of a toothed wheel 24 and photoelectric scanning means 25, 26. The photodetector of course furnishes a signal only when no tooth is between it and light source 25. Thus the presence of absence of a tooth between light source 25 and photodetector 26 can be used as a signal to stop the film advance.

The distance between consecutive teeth and the width of the teeth can of course be used to control the distance between consecutive lines on the film.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of endless band 13. The symbols are designated by reference numeral 14 and are illuminated by sources of illumination via a condenser lens 36 and a aperture 37. Alternatively, the optical means may comprise the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, wherein a light guide 38 is positioned between the source of illumination 20 and the symbols 14. Light guide 38 has a section 38a which has the form of the source of illumination 20 and a second section 38b which is in the form of the symbol 14. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the illuminating sources 20 are placed relatively closely to one another.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the endless band 13. A plurality of tracks 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d are present. It is thus possible if means are provided to move the band in a direction perpendicular to its direction of advance relative to the sources of illumination 20, to select symbols from different tracks, that is for example symbols which may be the same symbol but in a different embodiment such as a small or a capital letter. It is further possible as shown in track 140 to orient the symbols in a direction parallel to the direction of advance of the band. Such symbols will of course then appear at right angles to the symbols printed for example from track 14b on the film. It is of course also possible, if the buffer storage has sufficient capacity to store several lines simultaneously, to call out the symbols in each column in the buffer storage for recording on a line on the film. Thus if the symbols are stored in the buffer as follows:

ALFA

BETA

GAMMA DELTA then the following print out will result if the symbols were recorded on tracks such as track 14c:

The computer control required to effect such a print out is of course well known in the art and does not form a part of the present invention.

VWWIV Also shown in FIG. 6 is a track 14d which contains ity to accommodate several lines of symbols, and if identical symbols are present in all parallel tracks on the band, then a plurality of lines may be printed out simultaneously, thereby increasing the writing speed considerably. Of course in this case the film advance would take place not after each line, but after a number of lines corresponding to a number of tracks on the band. Since the exposure time may, even with the use of luminescent diodes, at times to be required to approach the order of magnitude of l millisecond, the speed of the band is limited by the smearing which occurs in the symbols. In order to minimize this smearing effect, the symbols may be foreshortened in the direction of band advance. This is shown in FIG. 7, where the direction 40 corresponds to the direction of band advance. It will be noted that the line density in the direction of advance is less relative to the remaining line density. The lines which run parallel to the direction of band transport are thus of an intensity or darkness which is approximately one-half of the darkness of the lines perpendicular to the direction of tape advance. Various other combinations and embodiments of the basic arrangement of the present invention are of course also possible. For example, the total number of symbols which may be recorded may be entered on the band two or more times. In this case the coding for all the symbols must only appear once on disk 16, if each rotation of the disk has a definite relationship to each set of symbols on the band. Various other combination of the various elements of the present invention are of course also possible.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can be applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. An arrangement for photographic recording of alpha-numeric symbols, comprising, in combination, endless band means having a plurality of symbols spaced at predetermined intervals in a predetermined order along the length thereof; band transport means for transporting said endless band means along a predetermined path; a plurality of light sources arranged at predetermined illuminating positions along said predetermined path, each for illuminating one of said symbols on said endless band means when energized; a plurality of light guide means, each positioned between said light sources and one of said symbols, said light guide means having a cross section in the vicinity of said light source which corresponds to the shape of said light source and a cross section varying in size to a size in the vicinity of said symbols, which corresponds to the size of said symbol.

2. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the width of said symbols in the direction of the length of said band relative to height is shorter by a predetermined width than the corresponding desired width of the symbols on said photographic film.

3. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said predetermined intervals are equal intervals.

4. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein the distance between consecutive ones of said predetermined positions along said predetermined path of said plurality of light sources corresponds to said equal intervals.

5. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said plurality of light sources comprises a plurality of luminescent diodes.

6. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said endless band means has a first track along the length thereof, and a second track parallel to said first track.

7. An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein each position in said second track has the same symbol as the corresponding position in said first track and wherein said plurality of light sources comprises a first and second row of light sources; and wherein said electronic control means selectively energize light sources in said first and second rows.

8. An arrangement as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first and second tracks have the same symbols, but in a different form.

9. An arrangement as set forth in claim 8, wherein said plurality of light sources comprise a first and second row of light sources; and wherein said control means selectively illuminate said first or said second row. r

10. An arrangement as set forth in claim 8, further in parallel to the direction of advance of said endless band means and perpendicular thereto; wherein said plurality of light sources of light comprises one row of sources; further comprising illumination positioning means for moving said light sources in a direction perpendicular to said predetermined path.

12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising record advance means for advancing said record means.

13. An arrangement as set forth in claim 12, wherein said record locations are arranged in a plurality of record rows; and wherein said record advance means transport said record means stepwise for a distance corresponding to the distance between consecutive ones of said record rows upon completion of the recording of each of said rows.

14. An arrangement as set forth in claim 13, wherein said electronic control means furnish record advance pulses; and wherein said record advance means advances said record means in response to said record advance pulses.

15. An arrangement as set forth in claim 13, further comprising punched tape means; photoelectric tape scanning means for scanning said punched tape; said photoelectric tape scanning means furnishing record advance pulses for activating said record advance means.

16. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said endless band means further comprise a plurality of timing marks, each arranged in a predetermined position relative to a corresponding one of said symbols.

17. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said endless band means further comprise a plurality of code marks, each signifying one of said symbols, each positioned in a predetermined position relative to the so-signified symbol.

18. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1.7, further comprising code mark scanning means for scanning said code marks and furnishing code mark signals corresponding thereto; and wherein said electronic control means comprise buffer storage means storing said symbols to be printed, and comparator means for comparing said code mark signals to said so-stored symbols and energizing said light sources when said code mark signals signify a so-stored symbol.

19. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising disk means having a plurality of code marks, each signifying one of said symbols; means rotating said disk means at a rotational speed corresponding to the speed of said band transport means; and disk scanning means for scanning said code marks and furnishing corresponding code marks signals, mounted in operative proximity to said disk means. a

20. An arrangement for photographic recording of alpha-numeric symbols, comprising, in combination,

endless band means having a plurality of symbols spaced at predetermined intervals in a predetermined order along the length thereof; band transport means for transporting said endless band means along a predetermined path, lines defining said symbols which run parallel to the direction of transport of said band having an intensity substantially less than the intensity of lines perpendicular to the direction of transport of said band; a plurality of light sources arranged at predetermined illuminating positions along said predetermined path, each for illuminating one of said symbols on said endless band means when energized; a plurality of light guide means each positioned between one of said light a cross-section varying in size to a size, in the vicinity sources and one of said symbols, said light guide means of said symbol, which corresponds to the size of said having a cross-section in the vicinity of said light source symbol.

which corresponds to the shape of said light source and 

1. An arrangement for photographic recording of alpha-numeric symbols, comprising, in combination, endless band means having a plurality of symbols spaced at predetermined intervals in a predetermined order along the length thereof; band transport means for transporting said endless band means along a predetermined path; a plurality of light sources arranged at predetermined illuminating positions along said predetermined path, each for illuminating one of said symbols on said endless band means when energized; a plurality of light guide means, each positioned between said light sources and one of said symbols, said light guide means having a cross section in the vicinity of said light source which corresponds to the shape of said light source and a cross section varying in size to a size in the vicinity of said symbols, which corresponds to the size of said symbol.
 2. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the width of said symbols in the direction of the length of said band relative to height is shorter by a predetermined width than the corresponding desired width of the symbols on said photographic film.
 3. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said predetermined intervals are equal intervals.
 4. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein the distance between consecutive ones of said predetermined positions along said predetermined path of said plurality of light sources corresponds to said equal intervals.
 5. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said plurality of light sources comprises a plurality of luminescent diodes.
 6. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said endless band means has a first track along the length thereof, and a second track parallel to said first track.
 7. An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein each position in said second track has the same symbol as the corresponding position in said first track and wherein said plurality of light sources comprises a first and second row of light sources; and wherein said electronic control means selectively energize light sources in said first and second rows.
 8. An arrangement as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first and second tracks have the same symbols, but in a different form.
 9. An arrangement as set forth in claim 8, wherein said plurality of light sources comprise a first and second row of light sources; and wherein said control means selectively illuminate said first or said second row.
 10. An arrangement as set forth in claim 8, further comprising means moving said endless band means in a direction perpendicular to the length thereof in response to band control signals; and wherein said control means furnish said band control signals.
 11. An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first and second track comprise symbols oriented in parallel to the direction of advance of said endless band means and perpendicular thereto; wherein said plurality of light sources of light comprises one row of sources; further comprising illumination positioning means for moving said light sources in a direction perpendicular to said predetermined path.
 12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising record advance means for advancing said record means.
 13. An arrangement as set forth in claim 12, wherein said record locations are arranged in a plurality of record rows; and wherein said record advance means transport said record means stepwise for a distance corresponding to the distance between consecutive ones of said record rows upon completion of the recording of each of said rows.
 14. An arrangement as set forth in claim 13, wherein said electronic control means furnish record advance pulses; and wherein said record advance means advances said record means in response to said record advance pulses.
 15. An arrangement as set forth in claim 13, further comprising punched tape means; photoelectric tape scanning means for scanning said punched tape; said photoelectric tape scanning means furnishing record advance pulses for activating said record advance means.
 16. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said endless band means further comprise a plurality of timing marks, each arranged in a predetermined position relative to a corresponding one of said symbols.
 17. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said endless band means further comprise a plurality of code marks, each signifying one of said symbols, each positioned in a predetermined position relative to the so-signified symbol.
 18. An arrangement as set forth in claim 17, further comprising code mark scanning means for scanning said code marks and furnishing code mark signals corresponding thereto; and wherein said electronic control means comprise buffer storage means storing said symbols to be printed, and comparator means for comparing said code mark signals to said so-stored symbols and energizing said light sources when said code mark signals signify a so-stored symbol.
 19. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising disk means having a plurality of code marks, each signifying one of said symbols; means rotating said disk means at a rotational speed corresponding to the speed of said band transport means; and disk scanning means for scanning said code marks and furnishing corresponding code marks signals, mounted in operative proximity to said disk means.
 20. An arrangement for photographic recording of alpha-numeric symbols, comprising, in combination, endless band means having a plurality of symbols spaced at predetermined intervals in a predetermined order along the length thereof; band transport means for transporting said endless band means along a predetermined path, lines defining said symbols which run parallel to the direction of transport of said band having an intensity substantially less than the intensity of lines perpendicular to the direction of transport of said band; a plurality of light sources arranged at predetermined illuminating positions along said predetermined path, each for illuminating one of said symbols on said endless band means when energized; a plurality of light guide means each positioned between one of said light sources and one of said symbols, said light guide means having a cross-section in the vicinity of said light source which corresponds to the shape of said light source and a cross-section varying in size to a size, in the vicinity of said symbol, which corresponds to the size of said symbol. 